Description: The VBCI (Vehicule Blinde de Combat d'infanterie) has been designed to replace the existing AMX 10 P tracked infantry fighting vehicle in the French Army. It is a modular, air transportable (by A400M aircraft), threat-adaptable through add-on armor and weapons, 8x8 vehicle providing high mobility and maneuverability as well as high reliability, comfort, range, and low acquisition, maintenance and life cycle costs. A modern 8 wheeled vehicle has enough stores to be outfitted with the same armor and armament than a tracked vehicle. The Dragar gun-turret will be integrated on the VBCI vehicles giving them a 25mm fire support gun and secondary coaxial 7.62mm machine gun. In addition, the wheeld VBCI vehicle is suitable for urban warfare. The VBCI armored vehicles will complement the Leclerc main battle tank in assault operations. It will be capable of day and night, all-weather operation and fully compatible with emerging digitized battlefield.

The French Ministry of Defense has a requirement for 700 VBCIs at an estimated cost of €3 billion ($3.8 billion). Currently, The VBCIs are scheduled for delivery between 2008 and 2015. The VBCI VPC (Command and Control Vehicle) will provide command and control over forward deployed armored forces and dismounted infantry. The French Army original plans required of up to 150 VBCI in the VPC configuration but these plans were cut down to 110 vehicles.